Japanese calligraphy lesson
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Written by Year 12 Japanese ab initio students
In our Japanese lesson, we had the opportunity to explore and enjoy Japanese calligraphy. しょどう (Shodo), or Japanese calligraphy, is an art form dating back to the 5th century in China and introduced in Japan in the 6th century.
The ink is called すみ (Sumi), which is created with both soot, glue and water and the brush is named ふで (Fude), using particular animal hairs, which have different firmness. Shodo is not only about writing scripture but also about expressing emotion, reflected in each stroke. Ms. Myers demonstrated the basic techniques of Shodo, and we each practised our favourite Kanji characters.
Many students expressed their enjoyment of Shodo. One student commented that they "enjoyed the freedom and expression that goes into the art of Shodo," while another appreciated the unique opportunity to experience this art form, saying, "I really enjoyed learning a new art form." Another student remarked, "I like the way you can see the process of how you did it through the strength of the lines and the concentration of the ink."
Our Shodo lesson was an enriching experience that deepened our appreciation for this ancient and expressive art form while also providing a peaceful and stress-relieving activity.